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Ted waits until he’s got all of the outfits he wants to wear once he gets to wherever Bill’s taking him in his suitcase before he fills out the tag he’s tied to the handle. Sitting on his haunches at the side of his bed, the tip of his tongue peeks out the corner of his mouth once he gets all of his vital information down with a final touch of scribbling out “ TED ‘THEODORE’ LOGAN :D ,” where his name should go. It’s not the first time he’s gone on vacation or anything, but it is the first time he’s gone on one with this most excellent new wheeled luggage bag that he insisted on slapping a bunch of stickers on once he got it so he has to make sure he doesn’t lose it. The fact that it’s got a Van Halen logo, a bright yellow smiley face, a few stars, and that Wyld Stallyns logo that Bill made stickers of for the two of them would be enough of a giveaway that it’s his, but a tag will still help.
Even if his dad complains about it once he rolls it out behind him into the living room to be dropped off at Bill’s house. Ted knows he’s turning 17 this weekend and he knows that stickers are “immature,” but he’d put them on everything he owns if he could so he lets himself drown out the chastising as he says his goodbyes to Deacon and heads out to get in the car.
That tag turns out to be a great way for him to keep not listening to Dad either, flicking at it while he stares ahead and nods every so often to look like he’s listening. He’s getting some sort of lecture about how he needs to be sure he keeps up “whatever miracle made you and Bill pass that report in May,” going into his senior year and Ted wants to be upset over it, but he can’t. He knows that miracle was he and his best friend’s perseverance so he’s got nothing to worry about, not when he’s got Bill by his side to motivate him. Since his dad really hasn’t cared about his birthday much for a few years now, getting to do something with Bill and his family instead of his own is even more inspiring for him.
He does have to admit, though, that he feels most perplexed when they pull up in front of the Prestons’ house and he sees the phonebooth sitting in the driveway. “Whoa,” he whispers to himself, thinking over how Bill might’ve gotten it back once he notices him sitting on the front step picking at the hole in the knee of his jeans.
Dad scoffs from the front seat, rolling his window down to get a better look. “Hal hasn’t made him get rid of that thing yet?”
Ted hums quietly to himself as he gets out the car and pulls the handle of his suitcase up and out, thinking of a good lie to tell in the meantime. “Um - well, Mr. Preston was the one that bought it for him. Just for the report, you know?”
“At least put it in the garage,” Dad grumbles. “If it’s not already full of ‘band stuff.’”
He knows that he’s being made fun of, but the way Ted can see Bill light up once he notices he’s there makes him ignore it as he answers, “Of course it is, Dad,” brightly before running up the driveway to meet him. Turning on his heels to wave at his father, Ted grins and asks, “Do you want me to call when we get there?”
Dad just shakes his head and drives away, giving a quick wave as he does.
“Uh. Okay.”
Before he can let himself get put out by how little Dad seems to care about what they’re doing, Bill hops down to get on his knees so he can look at his suitcase with, “Whoa, dude, this looks excellent! Where’d you get the stars?”
“I bought ‘em last time we got slushies at the Circle K,” Ted says, grinning down and wiggling his shoulders at the way Bill runs his fingers over the biggest star that’s silver and sparkles in the sunlight. “Where’s your suitcase, though, dude?”
“It’s ready to go in there.” Bill points at the phonebooth and grins back, saying, “Are you?”
Ted frowns, whipping his head back and forth to look as it dawns on him that Missy’s car isn’t anywhere to be found. Mr. Preston’s isn’t either which makes him even more baffled as he says, “But I thought your dad and Missy were taking us. Aren’t we gonna drive up north or something - y’know, somewhere far away?”
“Oh we’re totally going somewhere far away, dude,” Bill says, nodding excitedly as he stands up straight. “But they already left. Dad wanted to take Missy on a most romantic getaway this weekend, so I told him you’d just stay here all weekend and we could order a bunch of food and rent a bunch of movies. At least I was gonna do that before I remembered what Rufus said before he left after he brought the princesses to now.”
Even in his confusion, Ted squints as he recalls the way Rufus left them each a small communicator after their jam session in case they ever needed any help in the future. Ted decided to put his away in the lockbox under his bed that held his most prized possessions like his favorite photo of his mom and the first tube of Chapstick that Bill ever let him borrow since he figured Rufus was most engrossed in any future business and wouldn’t actually have time for any of their silly 1988 problems. It seems like Bill had other ideas in mind, though, now that he thinks he’s catching on to what he’s been up to. “What did you need help with, Bill?”
“I asked Rufus if I could borrow the booth for a bit while he watched the house.”
“Doesn’t he have stuff to do?”
“Now that The Great Ones are together, he’s free, dude!”
“Excellent,” Ted cries before busting out an air-guitar with the other boy before making sure his suitcase doesn’t fall over. “So what are we gonna do now?”
Bill grins even wider before taking his free hand and squeezing it. “You and I are on a course for a most inspiring few days, Ted. We’re going to New York this weekend, but not just New York - Bethel, New York on August 15th, 1969 and we’re not coming back until Monday morning. You know why, right?”
Ted squeezes back as his eyes go wide down at him since he knows all too well why. “That’s - that’s Woodstock, dude, you - no way!”
“Yes way, dude!”
“But,” Ted starts, swallowing thickly and looking around again on impulse. “What if Dad calls your house or something and we’re not there?”
Bill shrugs. “Rufus is gonna pretend to be our distinguished housekeeper. We’ve got it all worked out already, don’t worry - if I thought I’d get you in trouble, I wouldn’t do this. You can trust me, dude.”
Ted knows that’s true even with his apprehension, the sincerity in Bill’s eyes as clear as the sky above them. Bill’s always looked out for him like that, ever since they were very little with Bill protecting him on the playground until now when he would give him a chance to relax away from the growing pressures of home. Rufus was an incredibly smart dude too, so if this really was an absolutely stupid plan, there’s no way he’d go along with it. The chance to actually see Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, and all the other greats at what some people (including the two of them) thought were their greatest live performances instead of just listening to the recordings of them on vinyl was too good to pass up too.
Not to mention the fact that Bill did all of this for his birthday of all things and it’s making his heart pound in a way he hasn’t felt since meeting Elizabeth. Even as he stumbles on their way towards the booth, Ted lets himself nod and wiggle his shoulders again with a soft, “Okay, Bill, let’s go.”
He doesn’t mean to keep holding his hand as they get inside, but Bill doesn’t seem to mind it, especially when it ends up being a tight fit inside with their bags pressed against the other end of the booth. Ted shuffles awkwardly on his feet while Bill starts to punch the date and time in, that bright grin still on his face as he does. “So I know the first acts don’t start until 5 P.M. from what I read at the library, but I thought we’d land in the morning so we could explore and stuff. Unless you want to go later?”
Ted stops shuffling when he sees Bill stop mid-dial, looking like he’s ready to do whatever he asks. “No, I like that. I bet they have some great food.”
“You sure? It’s your birthday, dude, so we’re gonna do whatever you want, okay?”
There’s a fondness to Bill’s voice that gets to Ted’s heart again. He’s too swept up in awe over their upcoming weekend to think about it, but it makes him giggle out, “Thanks, Bill. Let’s go with your idea.”
“Outstanding!”
Bill finishes dialing before bracing himself against the door, making Ted do the same just as the booth sinks through the driveway and into the circuits of time. They both have to keep their hands folded together since a few months’ break from time-travelling made them forget how turbulent it can be, but it still looks as wondrous as ever in there for Ted. Knowing that they’re travelling for something spectacular like one of the greatest festivals in history instead of something heinous like a school project makes it even more exciting for him. Once they land in the fields of Bethel, Ted lets Bill’s hand slip away from his so he can open the door, strolling out of it with his suitcase and letting out a delighted cry of, “Whoa, dude, look - there’s so many!”
In the distance, Ted can see dozens of booths and vendors for all kinds of food, clothes, records, and instruments. He can hear Jefferson Airplane’s My Best Friend being blasted from someone’s speakers under the hustle and bustle of all the counterculture folks running around if he listens hard enough and that’s when it hits him just how real this is. “Bill?”
“Yeah, Ted?”
“We’re actually at Woodstock,” he whispers giddily before twisting on his heels eagerly. “This is gonna be totally non-heinous.”
“Most definitely,” Bill says, extending his free hand towards him where he still stands in the booth. “C’mon, dude - let’s go wherever time will take us to.”
Ted giggles again, nodding so hard that his hair flies everywhere before he says, “Yeah, dude, let’s go,” and holds Bill’s hand once again to be led down the hill and into the activity below.
The lush greenery they sprint down is just as bright once they’re reached the trail leading to the festivities, the two of them nearly tripping into each other once they’ve made it. Ted’s too excited to care even as he feels himself getting warm again over Bill helping him stand upright, the large archway presenting the large, red banner greeting them to the festival looking more beautiful than it has any right to. Each booth or stand looks bright and welcoming where they sit in multiple circled rows covered in paisley, floral print, or any other era appropriate pattern with some adorning flags promoting peace and free love. He’s not even nervous about the sheer mass of people flooding the spaces between them; with the way so many of them from all walks of life are carrying on with each other dancing, chatting, or shopping, it would be incredible if he and Bill got noticed at all.
Lucky for them, there aren’t any attendees ready to check for badges or tickets so the two of them are able to waltz right in and Ted would be lying if he said the way Bill’s still clutching his hand bothered him. Even if he’s not getting anxious like he sometimes does in crowds, knowing that he’s got Bill nearby him in this new place comforts him, especially when Bill stops them right in the heart of the plaza and asks, “Where first, dude?”
“I don’t know,” he breathes as he tries to make sure he doesn’t get overwhelmed while he looks around. The booth that’s blasting Surrealistic Pillow is right behind him with sunflower curtains lining the inside that’s full of all sorts of funky clothing that Ted would love to try on, but to the right of that is a stand covered in paintings of doves and clovers with five full crates of records that he knows must be first pressings of reissues they own. That’s not even counting for all of the other artists and dealers nearby, so Ted can’t help it when he turns back and jokes, “All of them?”
“Well yeah, we gotta, but where do we start?”
Ted still can’t choose, finally starting to get anxious, but his decision’s made for him with the curly-haired redhead with freckles and olive skin running that sunflower booth waves at them and cries out, “I can see you two eyeing my wares!”
They both look at her, Bill grinning and waving at her with, “They are most eye-catching!”
She and Ted both laugh which is Ted’s cue to head over there where they learn her name’s Zinnia and she’s made everything herself including the felt vest she’s got on that’s covered in buttons promoting various bands and slogans of unity. When Ted compliments her on it, she thanks him and points towards a rack towards the back with, “I’ve got a few more over there if you want one. You look like a vest guy too.”
Bill perks up at that from where he’s already looking through a rack of jackets. “Get all of them if you want, Ted. My treat.”
Ted scoffs even as he pulls out a black vest to look over that reminds him of the one he wore on their historic adventure. “No way, Bill, that’s too many.”
“I’m still buying whatever you get today and you can’t stop me,” Bill insists with a grin. “It’s just birthday law.”
Zinnia laughs again as she checks the corner of the booth that’s been sectioned off for customers to try on clothes. “That’s really sweet,” she says as she picks up a few racks resting on the ground. “How old are you now?”
“He’s seventeen,” Bill says proudly, looking just as pleased over how a blue paisley jacket with an orange fur trim he’s picked out fits on him. “And it’s an all expenses paid birthday courtesy of me.”
Ted ducks behind his bangs when Zinnia congratulates him, trying to hide the blush on his cheeks while he carries that vest with him and grabs a tie-dye button-up to go with it. Bill really doesn’t have to do even more than he’s already done and he’s trying not to think too hard about it as he goes to change into his new clothes once he’s grabbed a pair of light blue bell bottoms to go with them. He knows they mean a ton to each other, their adventure through time proving that more than the years of friendship previously, but he has to be getting it wrong that Bill could be doing all this for any other reason besides just that. It’s just a coincidence that this is coming a few weeks after they and the princesses decided to just be friends and it’s just a coincidence Bill wanted to get him completely alone for the weekend.
Even if Ted can’t help but get wiggly again when Bill stops in the middle of heading for the changing area with his own frilly white tunic shirt to try on once he sees how he looks. “Most psychedelic, Ted,” he says with a soft smile before opening the curtain and ducking inside.
Ted bounces on his feet a few times before stuffing his old clothes in his suitcase and standing back on his feet to be met with Zinnia handing him a matching headband and rosy sunglasses. “Whoa, those are most complimentary.”
“They’re on the house,” she says as she hands them to him before retreating back to stand behind the counter. “A birthday present from me to you.”
“Thanks!” He gleefully sprints to the large mirror she’s got hanging up nearby covered in little insect figures and daisies to put them on and straightens his hair out while he says, “I want to get something nice for Bill too. Don’t tell him I paid for it, okay?”
“You got it. How long have you two been together anyway?”
Ted takes a whole millisecond to think about it before he says, “Since second grade. I guess we’re meant to be together or something and I’m - I’m really happy he’s my best friend.”
Zinnia hums behind him while she sorts through the pile of accessories in front of her. “Elementary school sweethearts, that’s cute.”
Ted’s eyes go wide where he stares at her over his shoulder. “Oh I didn’t mean it like-”
“Here, give him this,” she says, completely oblivious to his attempt to correct her as she comes to stand next to him with a crown made of the same daisies in front of him. “It’ll look nice with his curls. Surprise him with it while I get him a pair of glasses so you guys can match.”
After he’s taken it from her and paid her with a giddy smile, he can’t help but giggle to himself over the thought of them visually complimenting each other while she walks away and he sneaks off to hide as best he can behind a rack, managing to get there in time for Bill not to see him when he comes out. Ted watches him admire himself in the mirror and fawn over his own pair of glasses from Zinnia and he feels smitten over how handsome he looks. He looks down at the flower crown in his hand, twirling it between his fingers once or twice until Bill’s alone. That’s when he strikes, sprinting over to say, “This too, Bill,” before placing it on his head.
Bill’s eyes widen over it, making Ted grin and hold his hands out like he’s presenting it to him, but he has to try not to let it falter over the blush that spreads across the other boy’s face. It could be because he scared him and it could be because of how warm his jacket could be, but he’s certain it couldn’t be because Zinnia looks charmed by them and says, “Now you guys are an even cuter couple.”
Even if Ted really wishes that was the case once Bill’s back to normal and pays for both of their outfits and they leave wearing them.
That would be easy to brush off too, but it happens again as they’re browsing at a booth full of paintings made by an actual couple they chat to for a bit says they wished they looked as “in sync” as they did. After that, it’s the guy running that stand selling vinyls who Bill happily buys him copies of Led Zeppelin, Pretties For You, and The Stooges from who tells Ted that he “should totally marry Blondie over here when that punk Nixon lets you,” and he uses the need to remind himself that he shouldn’t tell him that Reagan wouldn’t let them either. Finally, once they head back to their hill for a picnic dinner of proper food later that evening after spending their lunch walking around and shopping with only the finest fried nonsense on sticks, they pass a handful of people that stare at their linked arms with curious glances.
Ted’s not nervous, knowing that it’s admiring looks and not judgmental ones since they’re in the mecca of acceptance at this festival, but he does get a little forlorn when Bill moves his arm to get a better grasp on their bagged meal. It’s a miracle they’re managing to carry their luggage, food, and merch as it is, so Ted doesn’t feel too terrible about it, but he suddenly feels afraid that Bill’s embarrassed to be thought of this way. As they reach the phonebooth so he can put their goodies inside while Bill lays out the blanket he packed for them, Ted has to wonder if he’s as dumb as his dad accuses him of being about the most important person in his life.
But the real dumb thing, he reasons once they’re sat across from each other eating the vegan pizza that they’d figured they could try around this fun counterculture atmosphere, is to assume that Bill could be so cruel to brush him off like that. Bill, the boy who drew a notebook full of doodles of their favorite cartoons to cheer him up after he got sad that he would have to share his mom and dad with Deacon when he was born, wouldn’t be that callous. Bill, the kid who takes time to look over his homework to help him on subjects he’s not as skilled at as him, wouldn’t be so rude as to get angry over an assumption like that.
Bill, the guy who nearly risked his life so they could pass a history test and stay friends forever to change the world, wouldn’t do all of this and more for him if something as silly as people thinking they were dating was enough to make him upset. Besides, he can’t be mad at him when he’s looking really cute right now that they’re down to the last two slices with how he’s got a glob of pesto on the tip of his nose from his latest bite of pizza, making him laugh over it and say, “You’re turning green, dude!”
“Oh bogus,” he says back before wiping roughly at it with his napkin. “Did I get it?”
“Uh huh.”
Bill scrunches it as he wipes it one last time for good measure and throws it into the now empty bag. Ted knows he’s staring so he only wiggles nervously once when Bill looks up and notices with, “What is it, Ted?”
He’s gotten over his worries, but a part of him still has to know they’re okay and that he’s guessed right, so he takes a bite of his own slice to chew over for more time before he finally clears his throat and asks, “What did you think of it when people saw us and got all romantic?”
Bill shrugs as he picks a piece of basil off his slice to chew at the end of. “It’s Woodstock, dude, everybody likes everybody. It makes sense why they’d think that.”
“I guess so.”
“I thought you were gonna jump out of your vest when that guy told you to marry me,” Bill laughs before popping the rest of that basil in his mouth, chewing idly until he frowns. “It wasn’t totally heinous for you, was it? If you want me to tell people we aren’t like that so you don’t have to worry about it, I can, dude.”
Ted feels silly for how quickly he shakes his head and says, “No, dude, it’s most okay with me if people think that! I guess I was worried about you, but it’s stupid and I shouldn’t have been.”
“It’s not stupid.”
That makes Ted look up from where he’d started to stare down at his lap over how he’s all but said he’s thought of him that way. “It’s not?”
“Nothing you think is stupid, Ted,” Bill says, setting down his plate so he can move to sit directly next to him. “You’re the most courteous dude I know - and the most riotous - but you are definitely not stupid. I don’t care what anybody says or makes you feel like. You’re my best friend and I hope this weekend is everything you want it to be.”
Bill stops to laugh and take his sunglasses off to put in his open collar, looking shy as he adds, “It’s totally okay with me too if people think you’re my boyfriend or something. You know what I mean?”
That confirmation already makes this the best birthday weekend of his life and the first performer hasn’t even come on stage yet. “Yeah, Bill, I do,” he says softly, letting himself ask the one question on his mind when Bill smiles at him. “Is it okay if I kiss you?”
Ted tries not to shiver when Bill reaches out to gently take his sunglasses off for him to set down on top of their blanket. “It’s your birthday, Ted,” he says as he brushes his hair behind his ear. “Go for it.”
They both giggle over it when Ted whispers a little, “Excellent,” before leaning in to press his lips against his, the two of them unable to stop smiling as they shut their eyes over it. Bill lets his hand linger near his face to cup and stroke his thumb over his cheek as they trade sweet little pecks back and forth, Ted looping his arms around his neck in a hug to keep him close. There’s no urgency in their kisses, but a gentle sense of calm that keeps them in each other’s space in this wondrous place that they’d only dreamed of before while listening to records on their bedroom floors. Ted’s never felt smarter in his life than he has in this moment even if he knows that just a few months ago, he would’ve never believed anyone who told him that he’d actually be able to kiss Bill thanks to a trip 21 years into the past.
Once they can hear the sounds of stagehands setting up the stage below, they finally pull back to hug each other tight, Ted resting his head on Bill’s shoulder as Bill presses a kiss against his temple. “Thanks, Bill,” he whispers against his jacket. “For everything.”
“You’re welcome, Ted,” Bill says with his nose buried in his hair. “Guess I got a present today too, huh?”
Ted snickers and nuzzles into his shoulder. “Shut up, dude.”
Bill just laughs and kisses his cheek this time before pulling back slightly to look at his watch while the crowd amassed near the stage erupts as the first act makes their way onto the stage. “Bodacious, dude, it’s five o’clock! It’s time for the music.”
“Alright,” Ted exclaims before turning his head at the sound of Richie Havens and his band beginning to perform. “The first night is way underrated. Richie and Sweetwater are a most inspired choice for opening acts.”
“Joan Baez is at midnight later too, dude. Mom liked her a lot.”
Ted turns back to smile at him before leaning in to kiss him again. “So we should definitely do nothing but stay here and watch for the rest of the night so we can stay up for it.”
“You sure?”
“Incredibly sure and you have to do it because of your birthday law, right?”
Bill grins and nods as he laughs out, “You got it, dude,” before he guides him to lay down with him against their blanket so they can hug each other close and get comfortable. Once Bill’s on his back, Ted wraps one arm over his chest and rests his head on his shoulder, making Bill kiss the top of it with a sigh after he places his hand over his. “Happy birthday, Ted.”
“Thanks, Bill,” he whispers before turning his hand to wiggle their fingers together and squeeze Bill’s hand back, knowing that there’s no way any other birthday will ever top this one thanks to the boy he was always meant to be with.